DONGAN HILLS -- The front entrances and doors of homes on this side of Staten Island are not yet decorated in celebration of autumn, which arrives on Sunday.

Ariemma's Garden Center at 1802 Hylan Blvd. is readying for the season, already packed with fanciful scarecrows, large and small, and rows of brightly colored chrysanthemums, purple New England asters, and the feathery blooms of pink Winter Celosia.

Also check out the cool-weather-loving salad greens, kale, Swiss chard, and ornamental peppers.